By STEVE HENSCHEL

Staff Writer

She might not be the most experienced member of the college’s Student Administrative Council (SAC), but our new president is ready to tackle student politics this year at Niagara College.

Jacquelynn Perzul, 20, of Stevensville, took over duties as the president of SAC this past spring.

Usually, the position is filled by one of SAC’s executive vice-presidents. Perzul, the vice-president of programming, was voted into the presidency by the SAC Board of Directors this past spring.

“The executive VPs definitely knew a little more about the position at the time,” says Perzul. She carefully examined the duties before applying for the position, she says.

“I felt like I could do it,” says Perzul. “I have great time management and I’ve learned a lot in the past two months.”

According to SAC General Manager, Cindy Blanchard, 52, of Welland, Perzul will be an asset to the operation of the SAC. “I am looking forward to working with Jacque this academic year.”

SAC executive vice-president for the Niagara-on-the-Lake campus, Garret Lehman, 20, of Grimsby, says he is excited to work with Perzul.

“She is a very mature and dedicated individual,” says Lehman. “I think this year will be one of the most productive years for the Niagara College Student Administrative Council with Jacque Perzul at the helm.”

“She’s doing fabulously,” says Tyler Hore, 24, of Welland. Hore is the executive vice-president of SAC for the Welland campus. “She is picking up the position fast with lots of enthusiasm.”

Perzul was originally inspired to pursue the presidency by the previous SAC president she says. “I wanted to be a leader of students.”

Perzul says she plans to pursue a number of agenda items beyond carrying on where the previous SAC administration left off. 

Important to Perzul will be the development of a green initiative. Perzul says she plans to make the campus more eco-friendly and institute an “aggressive” recycling policy.

“We are going to drive green programs and I think the college will be on board as well.”

According to Perzul, this year’s SAC administration will work on a variety of agenda issues. “They [the SAC VPs] are just so gung ho,” says Perzul. “They all are enthusiastic about their programs and ideas.”

In her time away from the school, Perzul volunteers for the Heart and Stroke Foundation as well as the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada.

Currently, Perzul is running a charity volleyball tournament for the Heart and Stroke Foundation that will take place at The Plaice in Fort Erie on July 26. “It eats up most of my time,” she says “but it’s fun.”

Sports also keep Perzul busy when she is away from school. She “loves” to watch football and hockey and plays in a baseball league. 

Perzul, a recent graduate of the General Arts and Sciences University Transfer Program, hopes to attend Brock University after her term as president.